Steve,
I hope you will continue to comment on exchange prints, especially on what makes them work for you or not.
For what it is worth, I rarely recall being on the receiving end of a callout from you until this latest post, and never took umbrage. ?
Rather, your comments make me look again at the prints you cited and with a different point of view. ?
It is all part of getting better at our craft.
¡°Feedback is a gift.¡±
Best wishes to you and the rest of the exchange for the New Year.
Rob
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On Dec 18, 2023, at 21:55, Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote:
I feel the need to explain my habit of commenting on exchange prints.?
?
In the late 1970s I fell in with a group of accomplished photographers here in Eugene, and quickly became friends with all of them. Every couple of months six to eight of us would gather over beer and Mexican food and pull out a few of the prints we had been working on. Subject matter varied widely: landscapes, abstractions, portraiture, nudes, you name it. It was all black and white printed in our home darkrooms, none of us had the time or patience for Cibachrome. The film we were working with ranged from 35mm to 4x5. Our approach was simple: all the prints were laid out under good lighting and we went around the group, one person at a time, and shared which two prints we were most drawn to and impressed by. Each person had to say why he or she felt that way about that particular print. It was a very causal, positive exchange. Once in a while one of us would ask for constructive criticism but that was rare. And it turned out that, since we all had our biases about subject matter, printing styles, etc., by the time the evening was over most everyone had been the recipient of at least a few good words.
?
I fear I have carried the spirit of those sessions with me when offering up comments on the exchange web site. I had hoped that my observations would be joined by other group members who felt strongly about prints other than the ones I mentioned. But as one of our participants shared with me, despite my caveats, my singling out a few prints was implicitly dismissive of the ones I didn¡¯t mention (my words, not his). And that troubles me greatly.
?
I went up to my studio and spent quite a while looking over the exchange prints from the past year or so. And I realized there were many, perhaps most, of the prints that I could have - should have - commented on. I recognize that a large part of the problem is my biases, in what I value in a photograph. I am drawn to photographs of nature and wildlife, of people and places outside North America (especially Africa and the Indian subcontinent), to natural abstractions. And though I recognize that the initial focus of this group was on mastering digital printing techniques, it seems that most of us do a damned good job printing nowadays. So I focus on subject matter, composition, etc., all the while viewing though my own filters. If another half dozen of you were offering up your observations as well mine would probably be balanced out. But as it stands I have been guilty of selectivity, and have likely offended several of you who are too polite to tell me so.
?
So¡ the end result of this introspection is that I have decided to stop posting comments on the images in future exchanges. Please know that I have more appreciation for all the work submitted than my past words have expressed. And I will continue to look forward to each box of prints that arrives at my door like a little kid on Christmas morning :)
?
Steve
?
?
?
?
?
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Glad you will continue commenting, I always looked forward to them every month. I realized that, reading your monthly comments, that my growth as a B&W printer, around 20 years ago, was supercharged by a very supportive group who were always willing to encourage, help and offer concrete suggestions (led by Tom O'Connell), and I felt it was high time I did the same. So, I decided to get my feet wet by commenting on a few prints every month and take it from there.
Cheers Jayanand
On Wed, Dec 20, 2023 at 11:13?AM Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote: Sometimes I find myself wishing I hadn¡¯t said or written something soon after the act. This is one of them.
I want to apologize for my comments (¡°Mea Culpa¡±) on Monday. And I would like to offer an explanation for what, in hindsight, seems like a gross overreaction to an offhand comment by another person. This may well be TMI, but at this point in my life - as a 74 year-old mostly adult person - I have no problems sharing what I¡¯m about to say.
I suffer from depression, have wrestled with it my entire life. Months will often go by without a hint of the illness, then suddenly it hits me with both barrels, rendering my normal thought processes suspect. That has been the case lately. I have been dealing with the loss of two close friends in the past few months. And Monday was the second anniversary of my godson¡¯s suicide. So my already fragile mental state proceeded to plunge even further into darkness. When I am depressed I obsess on how my behavior, my words, can hurt other people. I become overly sensitive, apologetic, find myself feeling guilty of any number of offenses, real or imagined. And I try to do whatever I can too rectify the situation, or at least make amends. Hence my apologetic message and my impulsive decision to cease posting comments to the group site out of fear of further alienating some members.
I have long been self-conscious being the only group member to post comments the majority of the time. And I have wished others would join me, since they would offer different insights, express appreciation for the finer aspects of some images that didn¡¯t make my radar. To my delight both Jayanand and Rob have mentioned they plan to offer their comments as well. I just hope my infantile outburst did not make them reconsider.
As for myself, I have reconsidered. I will continue to offer my observations after each exchange, but with a slightly different approach. I will do my best to break away from my biases and look at and appreciate all the prints as close to equally as is possible. I am looking forward to seeing new images with new eyes :)
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Sometimes I find myself wishing I hadn¡¯t said or written something soon after the act. This is one of them.
I want to apologize for my comments (¡°Mea Culpa¡±) on Monday. And I would like to offer an explanation for what, in hindsight, seems like a gross overreaction to an offhand comment by another person. This may well be TMI, but at this point in my life - as a 74 year-old mostly adult person - I have no problems sharing what I¡¯m about to say.
I suffer from depression, have wrestled with it my entire life. Months will often go by without a hint of the illness, then suddenly it hits me with both barrels, rendering my normal thought processes suspect. That has been the case lately. I have been dealing with the loss of two close friends in the past few months. And Monday was the second anniversary of my godson¡¯s suicide. So my already fragile mental state proceeded to plunge even further into darkness. When I am depressed I obsess on how my behavior, my words, can hurt other people. I become overly sensitive, apologetic, find myself feeling guilty of any number of offenses, real or imagined. And I try to do whatever I can too rectify the situation, or at least make amends. Hence my apologetic message and my impulsive decision to cease posting comments to the group site out of fear of further alienating some members.
I have long been self-conscious being the only group member to post comments the majority of the time. And I have wished others would join me, since they would offer different insights, express appreciation for the finer aspects of some images that didn¡¯t make my radar. To my delight both Jayanand and Rob have mentioned they plan to offer their comments as well. I just hope my infantile outburst did not make them reconsider.
As for myself, I have reconsidered. I will continue to offer my observations after each exchange, but with a slightly different approach. I will do my best to break away from my biases and look at and appreciate all the prints as close to equally as is possible. I am looking forward to seeing new images with new eyes :)
|
Following up on Steve¡¯s ¡°Mea Culpa¡± post, I want to reiterate and emphasize one of the guidelines that are included with each print exchange sign up:
8) Comments on prints are welcome and encouraged, but are not required for participation in a print exchange.??
Gary Benson
One of the exchange moderators
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Re: October/November Exchange
Thanks for the thumbs up!
I am also going to start commenting from this exchange onwards - for a start, on the three B&W and three Colour prints that speak to me the most. That does not mean that I do not appreciate the others, but that I am just making a personal choice here reflecting my tastes. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cheers Jayanand
On Mon, Dec 18, 2023 at 7:32?AM Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote: I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)
For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!
Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.
Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)
?
Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.
Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.
S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.
Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.
?
I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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I feel the need to explain my habit of commenting on exchange prints.?
?
In the late 1970s I fell in with a group of accomplished photographers here in Eugene, and quickly became friends with all of them. Every couple of months six to eight of us would gather over beer and Mexican food and pull out a few of the prints we had been working on. Subject matter varied widely: landscapes, abstractions, portraiture, nudes, you name it. It was all black and white printed in our home darkrooms, none of us had the time or patience for Cibachrome. The film we were working with ranged from 35mm to 4x5. Our approach was simple: all the prints were laid out under good lighting and we went around the group, one person at a time, and shared which two prints we were most drawn to and impressed by. Each person had to say why he or she felt that way about that particular print. It was a very causal, positive exchange. Once in a while one of us would ask for constructive criticism but that was rare. And it turned out that, since we all had our biases about subject matter, printing styles, etc., by the time the evening was over most everyone had been the recipient of at least a few good words.
?
I fear I have carried the spirit of those sessions with me when offering up comments on the exchange web site. I had hoped that my observations would be joined by other group members who felt strongly about prints other than the ones I mentioned. But as one of our participants shared with me, despite my caveats, my singling out a few prints was implicitly dismissive of the ones I didn¡¯t mention (my words, not his). And that troubles me greatly.
?
I went up to my studio and spent quite a while looking over the exchange prints from the past year or so. And I realized there were many, perhaps most, of the prints that I could have - should have - commented on. I recognize that a large part of the problem is my biases, in what I value in a photograph. I am drawn to photographs of nature and wildlife, of people and places outside North America (especially Africa and the Indian subcontinent), to natural abstractions. And though I recognize that the initial focus of this group was on mastering digital printing techniques, it seems that most of us do a damned good job printing nowadays. So I focus on subject matter, composition, etc., all the while viewing though my own filters. If another half dozen of you were offering up your observations as well mine would probably be balanced out. But as it stands I have been guilty of selectivity, and have likely offended several of you who are too polite to tell me so.
?
So¡ the end result of this introspection is that I have decided to stop posting comments on the images in future exchanges. Please know that I have more appreciation for all the work submitted than my past words have expressed. And I will continue to look forward to each box of prints that arrives at my door like a little kid on Christmas morning :)
?
Steve
?
?
?
?
?
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Re: October/November Exchange
I¡¯d also like to say how much I enjoyed Steve¡¯s narrative that accompanied his Leica print. Fascinating to have such a backstory. Well done Steve. ? Jeff ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Stephen Mustoe Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2023 6:02 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [print-exchanges] October/November Exchange ? I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)
For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!
Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.
Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)
?
Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.
Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.
S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.
Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.
?
I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
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Re: October/November Exchange
I also appreciate the feedback.? I was going to send a full "straight" image of the cactus flower, but at the last minute decided on the version you saw.? Actually I mistyped a Photoshop shortcut (invert selection vs invert colors) and saw the more abstract part of the center of the image.? So I reprinted the the submission.? I'm now glad I did.? Thanks.
Rick.?
On Monday, December 18, 2023 at 07:39:00 AM PST, Nara Simhan <simhanara.k@...> wrote:
Thanks Steve for taking time and effort in writing a detailed notes. I'm happy for getting the compliments from this group.
Regards Nara
On Mon, Dec 18, 2023, 8:52 PM Robert Schwartz PhD < urokguy@...> wrote: Steve,
You are so very generous to share your thoughts on our prints. ?
A smart marketing exec was referring to consumer comments when she advised her audience that ¡°any feedback is a gift.¡± ?That surely applies here. The exchanges have so many talented printers that I learn from every exchange. Positive or negative, ?I welcome verbal input from this group¡ªin public or private.
I will share my own impressions in the next day or so when my tsunami of work and house chores clears.
But to all, best wishes for the coming holidays.
Rob
On Dec 17, 2023, at 20:02, Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote:
I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)?Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.?I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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Re: October/November Exchange
Thanks Steve for taking time and effort in writing a detailed notes. I'm happy for getting the compliments from this group.
Regards Nara
On Mon, Dec 18, 2023, 8:52 PM Robert Schwartz PhD < urokguy@...> wrote: Steve,
You are so very generous to share your thoughts on our prints. ?
A smart marketing exec was referring to consumer comments when she advised her audience that ¡°any feedback is a gift.¡± ?That surely applies here. The exchanges have so many talented printers that I learn from every exchange. Positive or negative, ?I welcome verbal input from this group¡ªin public or private.
I will share my own impressions in the next day or so when my tsunami of work and house chores clears.
But to all, best wishes for the coming holidays.
Rob
On Dec 17, 2023, at 20:02, Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote:
I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)?Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.?I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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Re: October/November Exchange
Steve,
You are so very generous to share your thoughts on our prints. ?
A smart marketing exec was referring to consumer comments when she advised her audience that ¡°any feedback is a gift.¡± ?That surely applies here. The exchanges have so many talented printers that I learn from every exchange. Positive or negative, ?I welcome verbal input from this group¡ªin public or private.
I will share my own impressions in the next day or so when my tsunami of work and house chores clears.
But to all, best wishes for the coming holidays.
Rob
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On Dec 17, 2023, at 20:02, Stephen Mustoe < smustoe@...> wrote:
I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)?Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.?I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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Re: October/November Exchange
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Stephen!?
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On Dec 17, 2023, at 6:02?PM, Stephen Mustoe via groups.io <smustoe@...> wrote:
? I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)?Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.?I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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October/November Exchange
I just got back after a week out of town and found the latest?exchange prints waiting for me. There have been many excellent?exchanges in the?past few years but this struck me as one of the strongest. I always debate?whether to post any comments - it seems?out of the norm relative to other?exchange participants, and I always worry that by singling out a few images?others will feel I did not?appreciate their submissions. That is not the case?at all. But I decided what the hell, no one has complained so far and I would?feel?remiss if I didn¡¯t share my impressions with all of you :)For starters, Nara¡¯s two prints (Siesta and Water Falls) were?exceptional. I have been to Masai Mara several times, have seen scores?of?lions, and have never captured so engaging an image. I am truly envious. And?his beautifully composed and printed black and white?from the Chader Trek has?me considering exploring Ladakh the next time I escape to the Himalayas. All I?could think was damn, it?must have been a cold day trekking!Jayanand¡¯s Lurking Tusker really showcased his printing skills. I?am glad he included a small color version of the original in his data?sheet so?I could truly appreciate the final monochrome print.Robert¡¯s Homage to PC captured the spirit off Caponigro¡¯s Two?Pears. Lovely printing. Perhaps he could be inspired by some of?Caponigro¡¯s sea?shell or mushroom images next time around :)?Robert¡¯s Assemblage made me change my mind about smartphone?photos. Very arresting composition.Josh¡¯s Sheep Farmer conveyed so much warmth and happiness. And the?dappled lighting was surprisingly effective.S. Prabhakaran¡¯s print of the older woman walking in Padum village?captured her with grace and dignity. And it only heightened my?desire to do?some trekking in Ladakh.Lastly, Rick¡¯s Trichocereus Cactus was an intriguing image with?such abstract characteristics I first thought it was a computer?generated?image. Fabulous! I have thoroughly enjoyed all his color prints of flowers, but?this was a delightful deviation.?I feel blessed to be a part of this exchange and I thank Gary for?the splendid job he does making it all come together. And I thank all of?you as?well for your consistently rewarding bimonthly submissions.
Steve ??
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US, India, UK and now Italy too!
Phil wrote: ¡°Now that I have settled in northern Italy,..¡±
Wow! ?I¡¯m so envious! ?I have wanted to see northern Italy for many years (especially to visit the Moto Guzzi factory and museum in Mandello del Lario on Lake Como), but it has been lower on the European travel destination list for my wife Kathleen, so I have yet to get there.
Where about in northern Italy do you live Phil?
Gary
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Hi Phil.? Yes, as Tom said....13x19" (or A3) is the preferred/standard size for the large print exchange.?
That said, I have also submitted some prints on 12x12" and 11x17" papers when the image dimensions fit those papers better than printing them on 13x19 inch paper would.
Gary
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Phillip-
I love the 900. The choice you have to make (though not when you buy it) is whether or not to get the roll feeder. I did. But I rarely use it since it requires manual cutting. With my old 4900 I used the roll paper a lot. Now not so much. I should either just get over it or buy some 17x22 boxes of paper?:-) If the 900 is without the roll feeder, it is a very very compact printer for a 17¡± model. Hardly much larger than the 700.
I saw your email to Gary on size ¡ª large print exchange is still 13 x 19 as you remember.?
Tom
Tom O'Connell tomoconnell44@...
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On Dec 11, 2023, at 9:46?PM, Phillip Kimble via groups.io <kimblep@...> wrote:
On Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 02:38 PM, Tom O'Connell wrote:
a
Thanks Tom!? I think the SC900 is my device of choice. I once owned a 2nd hand 3800 & loved it.? I passed it on to a friend when I decide to return to mainstream IT work overseas.?? Now that I have settled in northern Italy, I am looking at getting back into photography, printing my own work, & sharing it with others.
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Gary,
What is the normal "large format" print size for the exchange?
I recall it once was 13x19, is this still the chosen format?
Phil
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Josh,
The Canon Pro 1000 did catch my eye but doesn't work with QTR, which is a more of personal obsession than a requirement! As a long time Canon shooter, I have always been interested in their printers, just never purchased one.
V/r,
Phil
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On Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 02:38 PM, Tom O'Connell wrote:
a
Thanks Tom!? I think the SC900 is my device of choice. I once owned a 2nd hand 3800 & loved it.? I passed it on to a friend when I decide to return to mainstream IT work overseas.?? Now that I have settled in northern Italy, I am looking at getting back into photography, printing my own work, & sharing it with others.
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Thank you Gary for posting that. I was using Quadtone Rip with the Epson 3800 & custom icc profiles. until I departed the scene. It is certainly an obsessive venture that consumes a lot of time & patience but well worth it.? One of my best prints was on the Epson Exhibition Fiber using the 3 black inks of the 3800. Does anyone ever really "master" this art? I think it is a personal chase for everyone on thier own individual journey of expression.
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It was supposed to be one of my first retirement projects.? Unfortunately, it is still sitting in the closet in my study.?
To be honest, I am struggling much more with keeping the photo workstation running - - the workstation is a 2015 HP tower system with more disk space (multiple SSDs of course) and more processors and memory than I thought I would ever need, but between OS updates, Photoshop GPU requirements, and a few other annoyances, it's a crap shoot each month if I'm going to be able to produce a print.?
In fact, I fired it up yesterday to start to work on new images for the next exchange only to find that Adobe Camera Raw will no longer run, neither within Bridge nor within Photoshop itself, which makes it had to get from Olympus ORFs to something Photoshop can use a much longer process.? I'm not sure how this change happened since I have had all updates from Adobe shut off for the past 2+ years...
But back to QTR, it is still on the list of projects to do.
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Jayanand
Stephen Mustoe
Tom O'Connell
Westley Clavey, W5WMC